Youths pull anti-Israel prank on McDonald's staff in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA - A video depicting a group of youths pulling a prank on a McDonald's fast food restaurant staff has gone viral on Facebook, irking many users in the process.

The three-minute video, shared on 'Friends of Barisan Nasional' and 'Kongsi Video' pages have garnered over 10,000 likes and 12,000 shares since it was uploaded on Friday.

Both pages condemned their actions, saying that it was not the right way to stage a boycott of the franchise.

In the video, three youths were seen driving up to a drive-through counter at a McDonald's restaurant and ordering some food.

They were heard laughing and cheering throughout the video, repeatedly saying that they were about to pull a prank.

When it was their turn to pay, they screamed anti-Israeli sentiments at the cashier before driving away.

The location of the McDonald's branch could not be determined.

The actions of the three youths were not well-received by netizens, who said the action was "stupid and immature".

Facebook user Mohd Norazli said that was not the way to conduct a boycott.

"Even if you want to boycott, do it respectfully. The staff there are also Malays," he said.

Another user A Rabian B Reeze expressed her sympathy towards the McDonald's staff.

"She was working hard to put food on the table but was embarrassed and played by our own people. We are Malaysians. Stand through for our people first. What is the point in hurting our people just to condemn people of other countries?" she questioned.

Another user Fatin Asmira said that those in the video should be sent to Gaza to fight the injustice there.

"If you just want to pull pranks on people, you better go back and sleep," she said.

Cindy Chan also condemned the action of the youth and said they were an embarrassment to their race and country.

"Where did they learn such behaviour? Pity the girl working at the counter. It is not her fault. This is so disturbing, to see our younger generation with this kind of brainless attitude," she said.

McDonald's has been a target of a boycott campaign that came about after a number of non-governmental organisations claimed that the international fast-food chain was providing funds for Israel to carry out the war in Gaza.

McDonald's Malaysia issued a press statement on Friday in which it said some of their outlets were subjected to acts of vandalism to the extent that they had to shut down operations for the day.

The company reiterated its stand that it "does not channel any sales, profits or franchise fees from restaurants to support any political causes or conflicts in any part of the world."